Crises where NCA is present

Crises where NCA is present

Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan are just some of the humanitarian crises around the world where Norwegian Church Aid is present. Here is an overview of many of the crises we are responding to.

Text: Åsne Gullikstad

Published: 12.02.2026

In most of the countries with humanitarian crises that Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is responding to, we have been present for many years. As well as providing emergency aid, we work with long-term development during many humanitarian crises. In most places, NCA works with local partner organizations.

In addition to the countries with these humanitarian crises, NCA also works in a number of countries with long term development aid.

But what are these crises about, and what is NCA doing there?

Here is an overview of some of the world's largest humanitarian crises in which we are present:

Sudan

This is the crisis:

In April 2023, civil war broke out in Sudan. The war has turned Sudan into the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Millions have been forced to flee, both within Sudan and to neighboring countries. According to the International Crisis Group, around 33.7 million people – about one-third of the population – need humanitarian aid.

What NCA does:

NCA has been working in Sudan for over 50 years with development work. Since the war started in 2023, we have secured access to clean water, toilets, and hygiene kits with soap and sanitary pads for thousands of people. We also work to combat gender-based violence and are involved in preventing child marriage and teenage pregnancies, among other things. We provide cash assistance so that people can buy what they need, and we support people in producing food.

NCA has been working with emergency aid and development in Sudan throughout the war. Here, hygiene kits are being distributed in Gedaref. Photo: Osman Saifaldin Awad Rajab.

Ukraine

This is the crisis:

Four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the destruction is extensive and the needs are enormous. More than ten million people will need humanitarian aid in 2026, according to the UN organization UNOCHA. The war has caused enormous damage to the country's infrastructure, housing, health services, and schools.

What NCA does:

In Ukraine, NCA and our partners are providing clean water and sanitation solutions. We do repairs to damaged pipelines, sewage and heating systems, among other things. We are removing mines, distributing hygiene items, and providing cash assistance to the most vulnerable. At the same time, we are supporting victims of gender-based violence and offering psychosocial assistance. 

In Ukraine, NCA and our Danish sister organization DCA provide water, including to Sveta (66) in the village of Storchove. Photo: Rasmus Gravesen

Gaza

This is the crisis:

The war in Gaza began in October 2023. The war has caused enormous destruction and large parts of the population have been displaced. More than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 20,000 children. In October 2025, Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire agreement, but the situation has remained extremely challenging and fragile since then, with several attacks continuing.

What NCA does:

NCA has been present in Gaza throughout the war, including through our local partners. We have been working in Gaza for many decades. Since the war began, we have reached over a million people. Among other things, we have distributed food and hygiene kits, improved sanitation and water systems, provided mental first aid, and made cash transfers to the most vulnerable so that they can buy what they need most.

In Gaza, NCA works with both local partners and volunteers. Repairing and maintaining water systems is one of the activities we have supported.

Haiti

This is the crisis:

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and is also affected by a spiral of violence involving armed gangs in and around the capital Port-au-Prince, where the gangs control 85-90 percent of the territory. Over 4,000 people were killed in gang-related violence in 2025. 1.4 million people have been displaced from their homes. The country has experienced many crises, including the earthquake in 2010, in which at least 200,000 people died.

What NCA does:

NCA has been working on development in Haiti for many years and has programs in the south of the country. Through local partner organizations, we help to provide clean water and better toilet facilities. We also work with local partners to strengthen agricultural production so that people can improve their own diet and earn an income.

Violence from armed gangs has hit the civilian population in Haiti hard for a long time, but it got even worse in 2024. This photo is from the capital Port-au-Prince. Photo: REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/NTB

Burkina Faso

This is the crisis:

Burkina Faso is experiencing one of the world's most neglected humanitarian crises, due to violence from armed groups, poverty, inequality, food shortages, and climate change. According to UNOCHA, approximately 2.7 million people are affected by severe food shortages. Many local communities lack access to food, water, healthcare, and schools.

What NCA does:

NCA's program in Burkina Faso started in 2020. We work mainly with water, sanitation, and hygiene services, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and peacebuilding. Much of this support goes to internally displaced people. Among other things, we provide emergency contraception pills at crisis centers and health clinics. We promote peace by empowering local communities and enabling them to mediate in conflicts.

The Sahel region, including Mali and Burkina Faso, has been severely affected by crises. In this photo from Burkina Faso, refugees from Mali are staying in the camp in Goudebo. Photo: Joerg Boehtling/Imago/NTB

Mali

This is the crisis:

In 2025, 6.4 million people, which is 28 percent of the population, needed humanitarian aid, according to the UN. The causes include armed conflicts and climate crises such as drought and flooding. The security situation has become increasingly difficult, and jihadist groups have taken control of large geographical areas. Hundreds of thousands of people have been internally displaced.

What NCA does:

We provide access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and prevent gender-based violence. An important part of our work has been to strengthen local conflict resolution and to include women in peace processes. We also work with building resilience in local communities to make society better equipped to deal with crises.

Armed conflicts and climate crises such as drought have hit Mali. Here, children play soccer by a dried-up river in Mopti, Mali. Photo: Michele Cattani/AFP/NTB

Somalia

This is the crisis:

Conflict, violence, and attacks place Somalia on the list of the world's most dangerous countries. In recent years, many have lost their lives in violent attacks. In addition, the country has been affected by droughts and a series of floods. In 2026, 4.8 million people will need humanitarian aid, according to the UN. In parts of the country there is now a serious drought.

What NCA does:

NCA works with water, climate-smart agriculture, and food security. Peace work is also one of our program areas. We are providing emergency aid during the ongoing drought in 2026. We are working to strengthen small-scale food producers with local food production and reduce the food crisis in the country.

Somalia is experiencing drought and food crises. Here from Hadji Khair outside Garowe in Puntland, Somalia, in 2022. Photo: Håvard Bjelland, Norwegian Church Aid

Ethiopia

This is the crisis:

Ethiopia is facing a complex humanitarian crisis resulting from repeated droughts, floods, armed conflicts, and economic instability, according to the UN. This has led to many people being displaced from their homes. Ethiopia is one of the countries hardest hit by climate change. In addition, Ethiopia has taken in over a million people from other countries, many from Sudan.

What NCA does:

NCA has been present in Ethiopia for over 50 years. Among other things, we contribute to peacebuilding, climate action, water, sanitation and hygiene, and work against gender-based violence. We are working to combat hunger. In Tigray in the north, we are contributing by distributing seeds and agricultural tools, among other things.

In Tigray, which has been affected by war and drought in recent years, NCA has distributed seeds and agricultural tools. Here, near Mekelle in Tigray, Ethiopia, in 2024. Photo: Håvard Bjelland, Norwegian Church Aid

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

This is the crisis:

The situation in the DRC is one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world, according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. There were 8.2 million internally displaced persons in the country in September 2025 – a figure that is expected to rise to nine million by the end of 2026. Decades of conflict, instability, epidemics, and climate shocks have contributed to the crisis. The situation is particularly serious in the east of the country, where armed conflicts have been ongoing for several years.

What NCA does:

In DR Congo, NCA works in the east of the country. Among other things, we help to provide clean water, sanitation services, and hygiene – part of this as a response to cholera outbreaks. We help and protect survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. We also work to combat inequality and poverty.

In DR Congo, NCA works in the east of the country. Providing water is one of the activities. Photo: Håvard Bjelland, Norwegian Church Aid

Syria

This is the crisis:

The civil war that began in 2011 led to an enormous humanitarian crisis. It gradually turned into a frozen conflict, exacerbated by economic collapse. In 2023, a massive earthquake struck the population in the north. In December 2024, the Assad regime fell after an offensive by rebel forces. More than 16 million of the country's 22 million inhabitants need humanitarian aid, according to the UN.

What NCA does:

NCA has been working in Syria since 2012, particularly with water, sanitation, and hygiene. We provide clean and safe water, repair damaged infrastructure, and contribute to hygiene measures in local communities, schools, and health centers to prevent disease. Through local partners, we also offer mental health services and psychosocial support for women and girls who are victims of gender-based violence.

In some of the most war-torn areas of Aleppo, more than 95,000 people received water in 2025 thanks to NCA. Photo: Håvard Hovdhaugen

Afghanistan

This is the crisis:

Afghanistan will continue to be one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world in 2026, warns the UN. After decades of war and conflict, the situation for millions of people is dire. Poverty is widespread, and climate change is making the situation worse. Around 22 million people in Afghanistan will need help in 2026, according to the UN.

What NCA does:

NCA's work focuses particularly on water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as climate-smart agriculture and job creation. We support local communities affected by conflict and disasters by distributing emergency aid equipment such as tents and kitchen utensils. We provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene items, promote peaceful coexistence, and support girls and women who are victims of gender-based violence.

NCA is present in Afghanistan. In this photo from 2023, hygiene kits were distributed to Afghan refugees who had been expelled from Pakistan. Photo: Håvard Bjelland, NCA

South Sudan

This is the crisis:

South Sudan is a fragile state after decades of conflict and is one of the world's poorest countries. From 2013 to 2018, there was full-scale war, and armed conflicts are still ongoing in several parts of the country. South Sudan is also hosting over a million people who have fled from the war in Sudan. By 2026, more than ten million people, or two-thirds of the population, are expected to need humanitarian aid, according to the UN.

What NCA does:

In South Sudan, NCA has provided emergency aid to refugees from Sudan near the border. In addition to providing emergency aid, NCA is working long-term in South Sudan to strengthen civil society and promote inclusive peacebuilding. We provide water, sanitation, and hygiene to the most vulnerable and help protect women and girls from gender-based violence.

South Sudan is in a fragile situation and has also received many refugees from the war in Sudan, like here in Renk near the border. Photo: Håvard Bjelland, Norwegian Church Aid

Nigeria

This is the crisis:

Millions of people in Nigeria are vulnerable after 16 years of armed conflict, devastating floods, and disease outbreaks, according to the UN. In addition, millions lack access to basic services. Nearly 35 million people are expected to face acute food shortages between harvest seasons in 2026. In northern Nigeria, armed groups have increased their attacks on both military and civilians.

What NCA does:

NCA has been present in Nigeria since 2017. We work in northeastern Nigeria to strengthen local communities through water and sanitation, prevention of gender-based violence, food security, and peacebuilding. We also work to prevent deaths among newborns and women giving birth.

NCA has provided water in Pulka outside Maiduguri in Borno State in northern Nigeria. Photo: Håvard Bjelland

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